Many have asked, "Well, how do we get started?"  Each church begins the process a little differently, that is one of the beauties of this ministry, it is completely customizable.  In an effort to help we offer the following guide to "Getting Started".  It is a synthesized version of the path taken by many different churches:

1.  Presentation to Pastor

2.  Presentation to Parish Council and/or appropriate committee within parish

3.  Choosing coordinators from the parish

Generally it is one, two or three couples who wish to serve the parish in this capacity.  Their responsibility would be to act as pastors or shepherds to the Lay Pastors.  They would coordinate and run monthly LPS meetings.  They would be responsible for all aspects of the ministry within the parish.  They would coordinate with Ed Nolan (Ed is the Executive Director of the LPS) for answers to any and all questions.

4.  Presentation to the congregation

We would coordinate a weekend that meets with everyone’s schedule.  I would then speak at all the masses (the presentation is approx 13 minutes long and is generally done at Homily time.  I recognize that some Pastors don't like lay people to speak at Homily time and in those cases we will present at any time the Pastor chooses.  Our presentation will always tie into the Gospel and many times, if the Pastor allows a presentation at Homily time then he or the presiding priest will offer a brief Homily of their own and then introduce me.  We are happy to work within the guidelines prescribed by your pastor.)  At the end of mass I will be at the back of the church with those who have been selected as coordinators and will answer questions and ask parishioners to sign-up to become Lay Pastors.  We will provide sign-up sheets and brochures.  (Both sign-up sheets and brochures are available as a download from our web site.)

            5.  Division of Parish Membership

The parish roster (list of registered families) is divided in to groups of 20 families.  The purpose is to assign 20 families to each new Lay Pastor.  The list provided to the Lay Pastor should include name, address and telephone numbers.  The list is presented to the new Lay Pastors either prior to or during the Commissioning Ceremony which takes place at the discernment retreat.

            6.  Discernment and Training Retreat

                        Within two weeks of the presentation to the congregation there will be a retreat in your parish. 

                        It will be conducted by Ed Nolan and/or Mark Price.  The purpose of the retreat is threefold;

a.      To answer any and all questions,

b.      To stress the importance and responsibilities of ministry, and

c.       To train the participants in the workings of the Lay Pastor ministry. 

We end the retreat with a Commissioning Ceremony.  It is generally held in the church, either before or during Saturday evening mass.  We ask that your Pastor or Associate participate in the Ceremony.  A copy of the brief ceremony is available on our web site.  The retreats are generally held on a Saturday from 9am to 4pm with the parish providing lunch and morning coffee, fruit, donuts and snacks.

The new Lay Pastors are now ready to begin their ministry and their calls.  We ask a three-year  commitment from the Lay Pastors and the Coordinators.  (Three years was chosen   as it was the length of Jesus’ ministry on earth.)

Important Note:  We will supply all the required binders, inserts and materials.  Many of the items are available on our website for download and can be copied at the parish.  However, if this is not possible we are happy to bring and provide all materials ourselves.